Italian dance star Roberto Bolle to appear in the Ballet International Gala

With fashion-model looks and dancer’s graceful movement, it’s no wonder Italian ballet star Roberto Bolle turns heads.

Italian ballet superstar Roberto Bolle in Brisbane ahead of dancing at the Ballet International Gala. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Roberto Bolle is a star in the ballet world, having been a principal dancer with the La Scala Theatre Ballet in Milan, with American Ballet Theatre in New York, and a guest with many of the world’s most renowned companies.

In his native Italy, Bolle, 47, is a certified celebrity, known for his new year television specials called Danza Con Me (Dance With Me), a variety show with dance, pop music and comedy that reaches four million viewers every year.

With his fashion-model looks and dancer’s graceful movement, it’s no wonder he turns heads when he walks down in the street.

“It happens many, many times every day,” he said with a laugh. “I like to go outside Italy where they don’t know me so I am more relaxed.”

Bolle has landed in Brisbane, where he will make his Australian debut in the Ballet International Gala this week.

He will appear alongside other stars including British dancer Francesca Hayward and Australian Alexander Campbell, both principals with the Royal Ballet, Skylar Brandt and Aran Bell from American Ballet Theatre, and Daniil Simkin from the Berlin State Ballet.

Bolle’s main performance will be with Royal Ballet principal Yasmine Naghdi in Three Preludes, a duet by Ben Stevenson to music by Rachmaninov, performed on stage by Sheng-Yuan Lynch at the piano.

The piece in three parts is about a couple who meet in a ballet studio, then make a life together, and finally enter their later years.

“It is the three stages of human life,” Bolle said.

“It’s very classical, and with the live piano it’s very special and intimate.”

Bolle has danced with many of this era’s famous ballerinas, including Alessandra Ferri, Darcey Bussell and Marianela Nunez.

Bolle will dance in the Ballet International Gala at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday and Saturday.

He said he hoped to keep dancing for as long as he was able, and mentioned Mikhail Baryshnikov, 74, as inspiration.

“I have to listen to my body, and so far I am very happy to dance,” he said.